Hydrangea plant named ‘BCHY-11.068’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea macrophylla  (Thunb.) named ‘BCHY-11.068’ originated as a controlled cross between varieties. The variety ‘BCHY-11.068’ has attractive inflorescences with sepalous florets with attractive, uniform sepal pigmentation and good commercial characteristics.

Botanical classification: Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BCHY-11.068’.

Variety denomination: ‘BCHY-11.068’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of theSaxifragaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangeamacrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BCHY-11.068’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled crossbetween a variety known to the inventor as ‘BCHY-06.014’ (unpatented)which was the seed parent and the patented variety known as ‘BC8.3’—U.S.Plant Pat. No. 25,507—which was the pollen parent. ‘BCHY-06.014’ was thesubject of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/999,982 which wasabandoned. ‘BCHY-06.014’ originated as a seedling from a controlledcross between the unpatented variety known as ‘LK49’ which was the seedparent and a commercial variety known as ‘Venedig’ to the inventor whichmay be the subject of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,928 and registered as‘Venice Raven’. ‘Venedig’ was the pollen parent of that cross. ‘LK49’ isrelatively compact plant with wiry stems, relatively small leaves,relatively small sepalous florets, and inflorescences that are resistantto being damaged by conditions in commercial coolers. ‘BCHY-06.014’ hasstrong stems, attractive inflorescences, and develops very deeppigmentation when treated with aluminum at commercial levels, and evenif treated with only a relatively small amount of aluminum it develops auniform and attractive pigmentation. ‘BC8.3’ is the subject of U.S.Plant Pat. No. 25,507 that issued on May 5, 2015. ‘BC8.3’ originated asa seedling from a controlled cross between the commercial variety knownas ‘Nizza’ to the inventor, and a commercial variety known as‘Messalina’ to the inventor. The inventor is not aware if ‘Nizza’ and‘Messalina’ are patented. ‘BC8.3’ has compact, attractive inflorescenceswith relatively large sepalous florets that ring and almost hide all ofthe non-sepalous florets in the center of the panicle, attractive sepalpigmentation, grows well under commercial conditions, and stems thatbranch easily and are relatively strong.

The variety ‘BCHY-11.068’ has sepalous florets with uniform sepalpigmentation at maturity and good commercial characteristics. The colorof the sepals changes as the plant ages. Below is a table comparing thenew variety to similar varieties, including the variety ‘BCHY-11.028’which is the subject of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/999,150 and resulted from the same series of crosses. The new variety‘BCHY-11.068’ differs from copending variety ‘BCHY-11.028’ in thatnon-sepalous florets of the inflorescence of ‘BCHY-11.068’ are hidden bythe sepalous florets while the non-sepalous florets of ‘BCHY-11.028’ areringed and not hidden by the sepalous florets, the majority of buds of‘BCHY-11.068’ develop into sepalous florets, the inflorescence of thenew variety ‘BCHY-11.068’ is globose while the inflorescence of‘BCHY-11.028’ is flat, and the sepals and florets of ‘BCHY 11.068’ aresmaller than those of ‘BCHY-11.028’.

TABLE 1 U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. U.S.Plant (abandoned)Pat. New Variety 13/999,982 No. 25,507 ‘BCHY-11.068’ ‘BCHY-06.014’‘BC8.3’ Leaf size 10.5 cm wide × 9 cm wide × 10 cm × 14 cm long 13.5 cmlong 16 cm Plant height 15″ in 6″ pot. 18″ in 6″ pot. 15″ in 6″ pot Stemstrength Strong Strong Sterns are relatively strong. Sepal Upper sidesof Treated With Upper side Pigmentation sepals are Aluminum - ofsepalsis R.H.S. 94 A Mature R.H.S. 73A (violet - blue inflorescences - (red -purple group). Under Both sides of group) in sides of sepals sepals arecenter, and are R.H.S. 96 D R.H.S. 95 B margins of (violet - blue(violet - blue sepals are group). group). R.H.S. 56 A (red group).Sepalous Floret 55 mm 60 mm 50 mm to Size - 60 mm Diameter CommericalU.S. variety ‘Venedig’ Plant patent which may be U.S. application PlantPat. No. Ser. No. 10,928 14/999,150 ‘Venice Raven’ ‘BCHY-11.028 Leafsize 11 cm wide × 8.5 cm wide × 15.5 cm long - 14 cm long source U.S.PP10,928 Plant height 12″ in 6″ pot - 14″ in 6″ pot. observed controlsgrown alongside ‘BC6.1’. Stem strength Strong - Strong observed controlsgrown alongside ‘BC6.1’. Sepal Upper side of Both sides of Pigmentationsepals is R.H.S. sepals are 84 A (violet R.H.S. 72 C group). Under(red - purple side of sepals is group). R.H.S. 85 A (violet group)observed controls grown alongside ‘BC6.1’. Sepalous Floret 70 mm - 75 mmSize - observed controls Diameter grown alongside ‘BC6.1’.

The new cultivar ‘BCHY-11.068’ has been successfully asexuallyreproduced under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery inHalf Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with itsdistinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttingswere used from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexuallyreproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. showthat the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for‘BCHY-11.068’ remains firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show thetypical plant form at 1 year when grown in a commercial nursery andforced to bloom, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a view of the new variety showing its form.

FIG. 2 is a top view of multiple inflorescences of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the base of the plant of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the top of the inflorescence of the newvariety.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of a number of inflorescences of the newvariety.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of several new florets of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plant described is approximately a year old. The plant started outas cuttings, used from the stem of a grown plant. The soil for the plantwas periodically treated with aluminum to produce blue pigmentation. Theplant was pinched early to promote lateral branches.

‘BCHY-11.068’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, treatment withaluminum and day length. Color determinations were made with The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, developed in associationwith the Flower Council of Holland, located in Lieden.

-   The plant:    -   -   Origin.—Controlled cross. The new cultivar originated as a            seedling from a controlled cross between the unpatented            variety known as ‘BCHY-06.014’ which was the seed parent,            and the patented variety ‘BC8.3’ — U.S. Plant Pat. No.            25,507 — which was the pollen parent.        -   Form.—Upright, non-climbing, compact shrub. The mature            plant, including a mature inflorescence, that is ready for            sale is approximately 15″ high and has a diameter of 21″            when grown in a 6″ pot with appropriate soil amendments.        -   Growth.—Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is            large. The plant branches easily with shoots forming at the            base of the plant. Lateral branches are similar in            appearance and form to the main stems.        -   Stems.—Stems are 11″ long. Fasciation is absent. Lenticels            are present. Lenticels are R.H.S. 86 A (violet group) and            are 1 to 4 mm long. The surface of young stems is glabrous.            Stems become woody as they age. The color of typical young            stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S. 144 A            (yellow-green group). The older portions of the stems are            R.H.S. 199 A (grey-brown group). Younger portions of the            stems are 7 mm in diameter. Older portions of the stems are            7 mm in diameter.        -   Foliage.—Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral            branches. Shape of leaf. — Elliptic with acute base and            acute apex. Leaf blade margins are serrate and not lobed.            Texture. — Glabrous; veins dominate on the underside of the            leaf and are sunken on the upper leaf surface. Color. —            Mature leaves have an upper side that is R.H.S. 136 A (green            group), and an under side that is R.H.S. 137 C (green            group). Leaves are moderately glossy. Variegation is absent.            Leaves are pinnately veined. The midvein and veins branching            off the midvein are large and prominent on the underside of            the leaves. Veins are R.H.S. 145 C (yellow-green group).            Leaves are as wide as 10.5 cm and 14 cm long. Petioles are            smooth and approximately 2.5 cm long and 4 mm wide. Petioles            are R.H.S. 145 C (yellow-green group).-   Buds:    -   -   Form.—Globose with 4 to 5 connate, elliptic, smooth petals.            Most buds, whether they will mature into sepalous or            non-sepalous florets, have 4 petals. Buds in the center of            the inflorescence are non-sepalous. The majority of buds            will develop into sepalous florets. They are approximately 2            mm by 2 mm when very young. Buds can be 5 mm in diameter and            still unopened. Color of mature buds is R.H.S. 97 A            (violet-blue group).        -   Aspect.—Smooth.        -   Arrangement.—Borne on branched panicles.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Form.—Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 150 individual            florets (both sepalous and non-sepalous) per inflorescence.            Both sepalous florets and non-sepalous florets borne on the            same panicle. Non-sepalous florets are inconspicuous.            Flowers do not produce a fragrance. The peduncle for the            inflorescence is strong and upright. Very few non-sepalous            florets developing early on cymes that are later hidden by            sepalous florets that form at the outside of the panicle.            Florets, both sepalous and non-sepalous, have anthers and            style. Inflorescences are long-lasting.        -   Size of inflorescence.—Compact and globose. Individual            inflorescence size is dependent on the number of florets. A            typical inflorescence can grow as large as 8″ in diameter,            and 4″ high.        -   Shape.—Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous florets            overlap one another. Sepals are persistent.        -   Appearance.—Showy.-   Florets:    -   -   General.—The non-sepalous florets at the center of the            inflorescence open first. Sepalous and non-sepalous florets            are perfect and complete. Corolla: Generally, for both            sepalous and non-sepalous florets there are 4 petals. Petals            are typically 4 mm long and 3 mm wide. Petals are R.H.S. 97            A (violet-blue group). Lenticels are present on pedicels of            both sepalous and non-sepalous florets, lenticels are no            more than 1 mm. Lenticels are R.H.S. 59 B (red-purple            group). Pedicel length for non-sepalous florets averages            4 mm. Pedicel length of sepalous florets is approximately 40            mm in length for plants of this age. Pedicels of both            sepalous and non-sepalous florets continue to elongate as            the inflorescence ages. Pedicels range from 97 B            (violet-purple group) to R.H.S. 128 D (green group) near            floret when immature.        -   Stamens.—8 to 10 stamens. Anther is regular and basally            attached. Pollen is scarce.        -   Stigma.—Two to three style each, although most florets have            two style. Each style has one stigma.        -   Ovary.—Ovary is partially inferior.        -   Sepalous florets.—General. — Veins dominate on the underside            of the sepals. Number of sepals. — 4 to 5 sepals per floret,            usually 4. Aspect of sepals. — Smooth and glaucescent. Shape            of sepals. — Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges are entire,            but with some crenation. Size of sepals. — As the florets            mature, the sepals enlarge and overlap each other more and            more, until, often, there is no space between the sepals            when the petals of the florets open. Sepals at maturity are            typically 32 mm long and 35 mm wide. Sepalous florets are            typically 55 mm in diameter. The upper sides of the sepals            are R.H.S. 94 A (violet-blue group) and the undersides are            R.H.S. 96 D (violet-group). Pigmentation develops at the            tips of the sepals and travels inward towards base of the            sepals.        -   Fruit.—None.        -   Disease and pest resistance.—Unknown.

Plants prefer milder temperatures.

Plants bloom in the spring but can be forced to bloom by placing in acold environment.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named‘BCHY-11.068’ substantially as herein illustrated and described.